Critter Tales

Uncommonly unique—our friend the barn owl

By Buckmasters Online

Photo: This laughing barn owl just ate a vole. They are rodent-killing machines whose presence is so welcome that farmers and landowners build nesting boxes to encourage them to stay. You will find them on every continent, except Antarctica, which makes them the most widespread land bird in the world. Have you guessed this bird’s identity? ... READ MORE

Observe, DO NOT disturb wildlife babies

By Buckmasters Online

Photo: If this fawn could speak, it would say “I’m fine. Mom is watching. Leave us alone.” – Photo courtesy Deb Watson. It happens every spring. Instead of taking a photo and moving on, soft-hearted humans are kidnapping wildlife babies. Helpless deer fawns born in April, May and June are hidden by their mothers. Tiny, newl... READ MORE

It’s not the usual birdwatching ...

By Buckmasters Online

Want to watch eagles, falcons and owls with their new hatchlings? It’s easy, and as close as the internet, and it’s anything but boring. There’s danger and adventure, and the day-to-day jobs of parents struggling to feed their young ones who grow hungrier and hungrier. And sometimes, yes, sometimes, hatchlings fall out of their n... READ MORE

Wild Eastern indigo snake found in Alabama after 6-decade absence

By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Photo: A juvenile Eastern indigo snake was recently discovered in Conecuh National Forest, which is the first evidence of reproduction in Alabama in more than 60 years. - Photo courtesy Francesca Erickson, David Rainer. Traci Wood admitted holding the snake almost made her come unglued. No, she wasn’t afraid of the snake she was holding. It w... READ MORE

Wildcat cousin confusions

By Buckmasters Online

Photo: The bobcat is the most common wildcat in North America, but it’s easily misidentified as its cousin, the lynx. – Photo courtesy Natalie Tsang. Earlier this year a student researcher in British Columbia made an interesting discovery. He was mapping locations of bobcats and lynx using photos from trail cams, phones and cameras, and... READ MORE

See tegu, fear tegu, call DNR

By Buckmasters Online

It’s big. Not gigantic, but big. About 4 1/2-feet long, if it’s an adult. It’s invasive. And that’s the really scary part. Some people keep them as pets. But when they escape or grow so large that the pet owner can’t handle it, sometimes the pet owner (foolishly) releases it into the wild. Or, it may have grown so larg... READ MORE